HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Annetine C. Gelijns Mehmet C. Oz Alan J. Moskowitz Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gelijns, A. C. Articles by Moskowitz, A. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gelijns, A. C. Articles by Moskowitz, A. J.

Ann Thorac Surg 1997;64:1312-1319
© 1997 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Original Articles: Cardiovascular

Evolving Costs of Long-Term Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

International Center for Health Outcomes and Innovation Research, Departments of Surgery and Medicine, and School of Public Health, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and The Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York

Accepted for publication May 12, 1997.

Background. To examine the long-term costs of implanting a left ventricular assist device, we reviewed the initial hospitalization and outpatient costs for 12 patients who received a vented electric left ventricular assist device, and projected the first-year costs.

Methods. We used the ratio-of-cost-to-charges method to measure hospital costs and payments for physician time. We examined time trends in the resource use of 50 pneumatic left ventricular assist device recipients, using actuarial techniques and regression modeling.

Results. The average actual cost of left ventricular assist device support is $221,313 over an average of 9.5 months. If there had been no Food and Drug Administration regulatory policy precluding hospital discharge before 30 days, this value would have been $201,148. Based on this latter figure, the average predicted first-year cost is $219,139. The length of the intensive care unit stay, one of the most costly components of care, decreased significantly over time.

Conclusions. The high costs of left ventricular assist device implantation are similar to those reported for cardiac transplantation. Given their success in supporting survival, we anticipate that these devices will be similarly cost-effective. However, further research is imperative to determine the cost-effectiveness of these devices beyond the introductory phase, when costs, benefits, and Food and Drug Administration requirements have stabilized.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Beyersdorf Economics of ventricular assist devices: European view Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2001; 71 (2007): S192 - S194. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Moskowitz, E. A. Rose, and A. C. Gelijns The cost of long-term LVAD implantation Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2001; 71 (2007): S195 - S198. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. M. Portner Economics of devices Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2001; 71 (2007): S199 - S201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Deng, M. Loebe, A. El-Banayosy, E. Gronda, P. G. M. Jansen, M. Vigano, G. M. Wieselthaler, B. Reichart, E. Vitali, A. Pavie, et al. Mechanical Circulatory Support for Advanced Heart Failure : Effect of Patient Selection on Outcome Circulation, January 16, 2001; 103(2): 231 - 237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L.S. Morales, K. A. Catanese, D. N. Helman, M. R. Williams, A. Weinberg, D. J. Goldstein, E. A. Rose, and M. C. Oz SIX-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF CARING FOR FORTY-FOUR PATIENTS WITH A LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE AT HOME: SAFE, ECONOMICAL, NECESSARY J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., February 1, 2000; 119(2): 251 - 259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. A. Rose, A. J. Moskowitz, M. Packer, J. A. Sollano, D. L. Williams, A. R. Tierney, D. F. Heitjan, P. Meier, D. D. Ascheim, R. G. Levitan, et al. The REMATCH trial: rationale, design, and end points Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 1999; 67(3): 723 - 730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Westaby, T. Katsumata, R. Houel, R. Evans, D. Pigott, O. H. Frazier, and R. Jarvik Jarvik 2000 Heart : Potential for Bridge to Myocyte Recovery Circulation, October 13, 1998; 98(15): 1568 - 1574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]